George Carlin's American Dream

Name: George Carlin's American Dream
Genre: Comedy, Movie/Mini-Series, Reality, Documentary, Travel
Released: May 20, 2022
Rating: 85

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Universal acclaim based on 7 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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Series Details & Credits

HBO | Release Date: May 20, 2022

Summary: The two-part documentary directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio about the life and career of comedian George Carlin features never-before-seen archival films, photos, audio recordings, letters, and diaries as well as interviews with friends and family.

Genre(s): Comedy, Movie/Mini-Series, Reality, Documentary, Travel

Recent Episodes

tbd
S1:E2. Part 2
Air Date: May 21, 2022
tbd
S1:E1. Part 1
Air Date: May 20, 2022

See all Seasons and Episodes

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Christian Gallichio

May 24, 2022

Season 1 Review: “George Carlin’s American Dream” may run close to four hours, but it’s also Apatow’s most politically incisive work to date. Read full review

Richard Roeper

May 19, 2022

Season 1 Review: No doubt Carlin’s observations are as relevant as ever in 2022, and that’s all laid out in the entertainingly comprehensive documentary from Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio—but I also love that this film is the definitive reminder that whether Carlin was making Big Picture Statements or engaging in relatively lightweight stand-up antics, he was flat-out effing funny. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

May 20, 2022

Season 1 Review: Specials about comedy talents are often just excuses to watch the best bits of a famous star, but “George Carlin’s American Dream” is way more than that. It is loving and appreciative of his genius without ever devolving into fan service. Read full review

Brian Lowry

May 20, 2022

Season 1 Review: Assembled with a level of ambition worthy of Carlin’s verbal dexterity, directors Judd Apatow (who not long ago produced a similar ode to Garry Shandling) and Michael Bonfiglio have endeavored to contextualize the comic’s work through key events. Read full review

Tim Lowery

May 20, 2022

Season 1 Review: There are plenty of talking heads, too—Patton Oswalt, W. Kamau Bell, Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, Sam Jay, Bill Burr, Steven Wright—but they never stray into redundant “You have to understand, Carlin was a genius” territory. The vast majority of them have something meaty and specific to say. ... Over these nearly four hours, one thing that stands out is the man’s tenacity. Read full review

Daniel Fienberg

May 17, 2022

Season 1 Review: The point ultimately is to treasure the record that Carlin left and to lament that that record didn’t include two or three decades more of scathing commentary and reflection — both the taking down of politicians and sacred cows and the fart jokes and funny voices. Here it largely succeeds, and four hours spent listening to George Carlin is four hours well spent. Read full review

Clare Martin

Jun 9, 2022

Season 1 Review: George Carlin’s American Dream effectively shows all sides of Carlin—a class clown, a rebel, a former idealist, a husband, a loner, a father, an artist—and reiterates his lasting legacy as a talented comedian who keenly understood the human condition. Read full review

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User Reviews

UncleWillard

Jun 16, 2022

It's George Carlin...nuf said. His is the first comedy album I ever heard. He is the first person to make me question...everything, but in a very human way. It was so perfect to have this insight into his family and career, and I noticed just how exemplary he conducted himself. Even when IIt's George Carlin...nuf said. His is the first comedy album I ever heard. He is the first person to make me question...everything, but in a very human way. It was so perfect to have this insight into his family and career, and I noticed just how exemplary he conducted himself. Even when I thought that the documentary was going to go down that tired old road of blaming him for the issues his wife suffered through, it pulled back on the stick to reveal that it was just another trough to be pulled back up by the crest. Exactly as he would do; shock you then make you laugh and feel. He's up there with so many prophets in my life and I miss his insight dearly. I'm not a religious person either, but boy that's a nice thought. That one day when I die, I would get to meet him and so many others at a huge party in my honor with all my friends, loved ones, and the people that I admired so much.… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

85

Series Overview
Season 1

85
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: May 20, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E2. Part 2
  Air Date: May 21, 2022
- tbd
  S1:E1. Part 1
  Air Date: May 20, 2022